Residents honored as FIDF chapter raises more than $800,000
More than 500 guests gathered at Fresh Meadow Country Club in Lake Success for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Long Island Chapter 2018 North Shore Annual Event on Oct. 10, raising more than $800,000 to support the brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
This year’s event featured Roslyn native Sergeant Mikey, who attended Solomon Schechter Day School and North Shore Hebrew Academy and is currently serving as a Lone Soldier—someone who emigrates to Israel without immediate family to serve in the IDF. He is in the Pioneer Combatant Youth Reconnaissance Company, where he takes part in the IDF’s Operation Good Neighbor, providing humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees.
The dinner, which has become one of the Long Island Jewish community’s premier events, also honored Great Neck residents Martin and Ellen Domnitch and Harold and Lorraine Domnitch as L’Dor V’Dor Generation to Generation Award recipients, as well as Danny and Jennifer Hakimian and their sons as Spirit of Israel Award recipients.
“We are honored and humbled to have been chosen by the FIDF for the Spirit of Israel award,” beamed the Hakimians. “Due to our family’s roots in the Iranian revolution and the Holocaust, Israel will forever be in our hearts as a beacon of hope, refuge and a homeland for the Jewish people. As a family, we are proud to support the IDF soldiers who put themselves in harm’s way for us all. Our hope is to inspire others to continue the tradition of supporting Israel and the IDF for future generations.”
Chaired by FIDF National Board Member and Long Island Chapter Chairman Ronny Ben-Josef, the event also featured Second Lieutenant Sarah, who sustained serious injuries from a terrorist attack and later became the head of a branch in the research division of the intelligence corps, and Brigadier General (Reserve) Ami Morag and his son Lieutenant Colonel Idan, who are the only father-son pair in IDF history to receive the prestigious Medal of Honor.
“This evening gave the Long Island community a chance to meet and personally thank the brave soldiers who risk everything to defend Israel—and Jews worldwide,” said FIDF Long Island Director Felicia Solomon. “This year was especially meaningful as we had Long Island’s own Sergeant Mikey return home for what was a memorable evening. Guests heard firsthand from soldiers who directly benefit from FIDF’s programs and saw the tremendous impact that their support has on these young men and women’s lives.”
Other distinguished guests in attendance were Brigadier General (Reserve) Gila Klifi-Amir and FIDF Tri-State Executive Director Galit Brichta. Presiding as the event’s master of ceremonies was Great Neck’s Michelle Adhoot.
“Our family was honored to receive the L’Dor V’Dor Generation to Generation Award from FIDF,” said Harold Domnitch. “At the event, our four grandchildren were inspired to make a donation using their own money for the very first time to benefit the IDF soldiers. Therefore, we are proud to have led by example for the FIDF.”
The funds raised will go toward FIDF well-being and educational programs for IDF soldiers.
